Popular Woodworking 2007-11 № 165, страница 39
Panel glue-up. Use a clamp to hold your panel pieces together as you seat the pocket screws. Once the screws are in place, the clamp can be removed. PROFILE Shaker-inspired Step Stool NO. ITEM □ 2 Long panel piece □ 2 Middle panel piece □ 2 Short panel piece □ 3 Step support □ 1 Back brace □ 3 Treads
Quick and easy screwing jig. A scrap of 2x4 is clamped to the Workmate to serve as a guide and support for screwing the step supports and back brace in place on the side panels. each piece flat and drill one pocket hole into the center at either end. Set them aside. Now, out of 1x8 (actually 3/4" x 7V2"), cut the three step treads to their final length of I8V4", then clamp a piece flat to your bench, with one long edge overhanging. Use your jigsaw to rip each tread to a width of 57/8". (You'll get a straighter cut if you clamp a straightedge in place to guide the foot of the jigsaw.) Now all the pieces are ready for assembly; this is a good time to sand (because as yet there are no corners to deal with). Sand over the paneljoints to ensure the panels are flat. If you're planning to paint, sand to #120; if staining, you may want to sand to #180. Joining the step supports and back brace to the sides is a bit tricky, involving some creative clamping and a scrap of 2x4. Separate the two halves of your Workmate so you can get clamps through the middle, then clamp the 2x4 scrap tight to the table. Butt the front edge of the bottom riser (the short piece in the panel) flush to the 2x4, and clamp the panel to the table. Hold the step support against the 2x4 flush with the top of the riser, gripping firmly to keep it aligned, then drive the screw into the pocket to join the support to the panel (see picture at left). Reclamp the panel against the 2x4 to attach the center and top step supports, as well as the back brace. Now attach the second side panel, using the same screwing jig. (If your drill is large, borrow a small one - or use a screwdriver - to more easily get inside the workpiece. Center each tread across the steps, drill pilot holes, then nail the treads in place with #6 finish nails. Use a nailset to sink the nails below the tread surface, then fill the holes with wood filler (or spackle), and let it dry. Once the filler is dry, sand the joint edges and filler flush. Chamfer the front and side edges of the treads with a block plane to keep them from splintering, and break the back edge with sandpaper. Paint or stain as desired. PW Comments or a question? Contact Megan at 513-531-2690x1348ormegan.fitzpatrick@fwpubs.com. About This Column Our "l Can DoThat" column features projects that can be completed by any woodworker with a modest (but decent) kit of tools in less than two days of shop time, and using raw materials that are available at any home center. We offer a free online manual in PDF format that explains all the tools and shows you how to perform the basic operations in a step-by-step format. You'l I learn to rip with a jigsaw, crosscut with a miter saw and drill straight with the help of our manual. Visit ICanDoThatExtras. com to download the free manual. TCari iflDo That 2x4 scrap popularwoodworking.com ■ 37 |
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